790 COMMON GUILLEMOT. 
down to New England. A form with a somewhat stronger bill 
inhabits the North Pacific. 
The Guillemot prefers open ledges or the flat tops of ‘stacks’; 
and on these is laid a single egg, of large size. Its very variable 
colour is generally bluish-green more or less blotched and streaked 
with dark reddish-brown or black, though sometimes it is white 
scrolled with brown, and often plain green or white without any 
streaks or blotches, while a rich reddish-brown variety is less 
common. The form is that of an elongated pear: measurements 
3°25 in. by 2 in. The hen usually sits facing the cliff, holding 
the egg between her legs, with its point outwards; if robbed 
she will lay at least one more, similar in colour and markings. 
Plenty of young are on the sea by the third week in July, and 
by the end of August or early in September both parents and 
offspring have quitted the rocks for the year. In England this 
species is often called ‘“Murre,” from the hoarse murmuring 
emitted by the multitudes assembled at their breeding haunts; by 
fishermen it is known as “Scout,” “ Marrot” or ‘ Tinkershere ” ; 
and the young bird is called ‘“ Willock” from its cry: whence, 
probably, the word Guillemot, of French origin. Considerable 
force is exercised in diving, and the wings are used for propulsion 
under water. 
The adult in spring-plumage (on the right) has the head, neck 
and upper-parts of a variable brown; undersurface white ; bill 
blackish; legs and feet smoky flesh-colour, webs darker olive. 
Length of a male about 18 in., wing 7°5 ; the female being rather 
smaller. In winter the throat becomes white or is mottled irregu- 
larly with brown ; as shown in the young bird on the left. 
The Ringed or Bridled Guillemot, figured below, is now generally 
admitted to be a variety, with an unusual development of white round 
the eye and along the crease or furrow behind it. 
